Hard disk storage expansion system
Through the upper and lower architecture design and module integration of the hard disk storage expansion system, the problems of low space utilization and insufficient heat dissipation in traditional storage systems are solved, and high-density storage and efficient maintenance are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510585682.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-15
AI Technical Summary
The way ESM modules and hard disks are set up in traditional storage systems has limited internal storage space, difficult to achieve high-density storage, difficult maintenance, and serious heat dissipation problems.
The hard disk storage expansion system is adopted. By using the upper and lower architecture of the signal expansion module and the hard disk tray, the data center security control module is integrated into the signal expansion module. The hard disk is hot-swap from the upper side of the chassis, and the signal expansion module is hot-swap from the front side of the chassis to optimize space utilization and heat dissipation.
It realizes high-density storage of the hard disk storage system, improves maintenance efficiency and heat dissipation capabilities, increases the number of hard disk support, and optimizes the internal space utilization of the chassis.
Smart Images
Figure CN120491768A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of storage devices and relates to a hard disk storage expansion system. Background Art
[0002] In traditional storage systems, ESM modules and hard drives often limit internal storage space in the chassis, hindering full utilization of the internal storage space and making it difficult to achieve high-density storage within the chassis. Therefore, achieving high-density storage in hard drive storage systems has become a pressing issue for technical personnel. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The present application provides a hard disk storage expansion system for achieving high-density storage of hard disk space.
[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a hard disk storage expansion system, which includes: a chassis, a hard disk tray, a hard disk, a signal expansion module, and a data center security control module; the hard disk tray is arranged inside the chassis for managing multiple hard disk groups; the signal expansion module is connected to the hard disk tray, the signal expansion module is arranged below the hard disk tray, and the hard disk is hot-swapped and maintained through the upper side of the chassis; the data center security control module is connected to the signal expansion module, and the signal expansion module is hot-swapped and maintained through the front side of the chassis.
[0005] In an implementation of the first aspect, the data center security control module is plugged into the interior of the signal expansion module, and the data center security control module is hot-swappable and maintained through the front side of the chassis.
[0006] In an implementation of the first aspect, the data center security control module is disposed on the left side of the front of the chassis, and the signal expansion module is disposed on the right side of the front of the chassis.
[0007] In an implementation of the first aspect, the signal expansion module is connected to the multiple hard disks and is used to expand the input signal to the multiple hard disks; the data center security control module is used to store system information for management.
[0008] In an implementation of the first aspect, the data center security control module is a square chip, one side of the square chip is located on the front side of the chassis, and the remaining side of the square chip has multiple grooves for being inserted into the signal expansion module.
[0009] In an implementation of the first aspect, the hard disk storage expansion system further includes a handle, which is provided on the front side of the chassis and is used to pull the hard disk tray and the signal expansion module out of the chassis.
[0010] In an implementation of the first aspect, the hard disk is inserted into the hard disk tray from the upper side of the chassis.
[0011] In an implementation of the first aspect, the chassis includes 7 rows of hard disk groups, and each row of hard disk groups includes 16 hard disks.
[0012] In an implementation of the first aspect, there is a distance between the hard disks, and there are multiple heat dissipation ducts between the hard disks.
[0013] In an implementation of the first aspect, the hard disk storage expansion system further includes a plurality of fan modules, wherein the fan modules are located behind the hard disk trays and are arranged on the rear side of the chassis for dissipating heat from the chassis.
[0014] As described above, the hard disk storage expansion system described in this application has the following beneficial effects:
[0015] The hard disk storage expansion system provided by the present application can combine hard disk groups and signal expansion modules in a top-down architecture, thereby increasing the number of hard disks supported by the hard disk storage expansion system and achieving high-density storage in the storage system. At the same time, the hard disks can be hot-swapped and maintained from the top side of the chassis, and the signal expansion modules can be hot-swapped and maintained from the front side of the chassis, which increases the spacing between hard disks and improves the heat dissipation capacity of the storage system. The hard disk storage expansion system of the present application not only optimizes the internal space of the chassis but also facilitates the maintenance operations of the hard disks and signal expansion modules in the storage system, thereby improving maintenance efficiency and chassis utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Figure 1 Shown is a structural diagram of the hard disk storage expansion system described in an embodiment of the present application.
[0017] Figure 2 Shown is a structural diagram of a traditional storage system described in an embodiment of the present application.
[0018] Figure 3 Shown is a structural diagram of a traditional storage system described in an embodiment of the present application.
[0019] Figure 4 Shown is a structural diagram of a traditional storage system described in an embodiment of the present application.
[0020] Figure 5 Shown is a structural diagram of the hard disk storage expansion system described in an embodiment of the present application.
[0021] Figure 6 Shown is a structural diagram of the hard disk storage expansion system described in an embodiment of the present application.
[0022] Figure 7 Shown is a structural diagram of the data center security control module described in an embodiment of the present application.
[0023] Figure 8 Shown is a structural diagram of the hard disk storage expansion system described in an embodiment of the present application.
[0024] Component number
[0025] 1 Hard disk storage expansion system
[0026] 11 Chassis
[0027] 12 hard drive trays
[0028] 13 Hard Drive
[0029] 14 Signal expansion module
[0030] 15 Data Center Security Control Module
[0031] 16 handles
[0032] 17 Fan module
[0033] 2 Traditional Storage Systems
[0034] 21 Chassis
[0035] 22 hard drive trays
[0036] 23 Hard Drive
[0037] 24 Signal Expansion Module ESM
[0038] 25 Data Center Security Control Module DC-SCM DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention for which protection is sought, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0040] The following describes the embodiments of the present application through specific examples. Those skilled in the art can easily understand the other advantages and effects of the present application from the content disclosed in this specification. The present application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. The details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present application. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other unless they conflict.
[0041] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like to indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.
[0042] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature identified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.
[0043] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.
[0044] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.
[0045] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present application. Therefore, the illustrations only show components related to the present application and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each component can be changed at will, and the component layout type may also be more complicated.
[0046] In traditional storage systems, ESMs (Expansion SAS Modules) and hard drives are typically configured in a modular design, where the ESM module is responsible for expanding the input SAS signal to multiple hard drives to increase storage capacity. However, this modular design often requires a fixed space to install the ESM modules and hard drive trays. Due to the physical size of the ESM modules and hard drive trays and the space required between them, traditional storage systems have limitations in space utilization within the chassis, making it difficult to achieve high-density storage, which in turn affects overall storage capacity. High-density storage requirements mean that more hard drives and ESM modules need to be installed in a limited space, which can lead to heat dissipation issues as traditionally designed heat dissipation systems may not be able to effectively handle higher heat loads. Maintenance of hard drives and ESM modules also becomes more difficult, and seamless expansion is not supported. When more hard drives or ESM modules need to be added, the entire chassis may need to be replaced or additional external equipment may be used, which increases cost and complexity.
[0047] The following embodiments of the present application provide a hard disk storage expansion system for achieving high-density storage of hard disk space.
[0048] The principles and implementation methods of a hard disk storage expansion system of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can understand the hard disk storage expansion system of this embodiment without creative work.
[0049] like Figure 1As shown, this embodiment provides a hard disk storage expansion system. The hard disk storage expansion system 1 includes: a chassis 11, a hard disk tray 12, a hard disk 13, a signal expansion module 14, and a data center security control module 15. The hard disk tray 12 is arranged inside the chassis 11 and is used to manage multiple hard disk groups. The signal expansion module 14 is connected to the hard disk tray 12, and the signal expansion module 14 is arranged below the hard disk tray 11. The hard disk 13 is hot-swappable and maintained through the upper side of the chassis 11. The data center security control module 15 is connected to the signal expansion module 14, and the signal expansion module 14 is hot-swappable and maintained through the front side of the chassis 11.
[0050] Exemplarily, the signal expansion module 14 is an ESM (Expansion SAS Module), which is an expansion module of SAS signal. The SAS signal of input can be expanded to the hard disk connected to allow the storage system to connect more hard disks, thereby increasing the storage capacity of the storage system. The ESM module can receive the X16 signal from the host controller or other SAS devices and expand it to the hard disk on the hard disk tray. The inside of the ESM module includes multiple SAS ports, each of which can be connected to one or more SAS hard disks. The SAS signal of input is distributed to each port by the internal circuit of the ESM module, thereby realizing the expansion of the SAS signal.
[0051] The Data Center-Ready Secure Control Module (DC-SCM) 15 manages information across the entire system. It manages system security and status monitoring, including security management, such as access control, identity authentication, and data encryption, and status monitoring, such as monitoring hard drive status, network status, and hard drive failures. The DC-SCM is connected to the signal expansion module, communicating with the hard drives through the module to manage and monitor their status and configuration.
[0052] The chassis 11 is a 4OU chassis, wherein 1OU=48mm, and the maximum height of 4OU is 192mm.
[0053] The hard disk 13 is a 3.5" HDD storage medium. The hard disk is 3.5 inches and has a size of 146.99mm x 101.85mm x 26.11mm in length x width x height.
[0054] According to the above description, the hard disk storage expansion system provided by the present application can combine the hard disk group and the signal expansion module in a top-down architecture, thereby increasing the number of hard disks supported by the hard disk storage expansion system and achieving high-density storage in the storage system. At the same time, the hard disks can be hot-swapped and maintained from the top side of the chassis, and the signal expansion module can be hot-swapped and maintained from the front side of the chassis, which increases the spacing between the hard disks and improves the heat dissipation capacity of the storage system. The hard disk storage expansion system of the present application not only optimizes the internal space of the chassis but also facilitates the maintenance operations of the hard disks and signal expansion modules in the storage system, thereby improving maintenance efficiency and chassis utilization.
[0055] Figure 2-4 Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a traditional storage system. The traditional storage system 2 includes a chassis 21, hard drive trays 22, hard drives (HDDs) 23, a signal expansion module (ESM) 24, and a data center security control module (DC-SCM) 25. As can be seen, in this traditional storage system, the DC-SCM 25 is located at the front of the chassis 21, while the signal expansion module (ESM) 24 is located in the middle of the hard drive array within the chassis 21. This prevents expansion of the number of hard drives, limiting the space available for 105 hard drives.
[0056] See also Figure 5 and Figure 6 In one embodiment of the present application, the data center security control module 15 is inserted into the signal expansion module 14, and the data center security control module 15 is hot-swappable and maintainable through the front side of the chassis 11. The data center security control module 15 is located on the left side of the front of the chassis 11, and the signal expansion module 14 is located on the right side of the front of the chassis 11.
[0057] Exemplarily, the signal expansion module 14 comprises two parts. The area of the first part of the signal expansion module 14 is larger than that of the second part. The data center security control module 15 is located in the first part of the signal expansion module 14. The area of the data center security control module 15 is less than one-third of the area of the signal expansion module 14 and is located at the lower left side of the signal expansion module 14. The data center security control module 15 comprises a first side 151, a second side 152, a third side 153, and a fourth side 154. The first side 151 of the data center security control module 15 is disposed in front of the signal expansion module 14. The first side 151 of the data center security control module 15 and the front of the signal expansion module are located in the front of the chassis 11. The data center security control module 15 and the signal expansion module 14 can be hot-swapped and maintained from the front of the chassis.
[0058] By integrating the Data Center Security Control Module (DC-SCM) into the first section of the Signal Expansion Module (ESM), the internal chassis space is optimized. Integrating the DC-SCM and the Signal Expansion Module reduces the space occupied within the chassis. Furthermore, placing the DC-SCM within the first section of the Signal Expansion Module fully utilizes the ESM's space, avoiding waste. This integration allows for hot-swappable maintenance from the front of the chassis without opening the chassis, improving maintenance efficiency. Furthermore, placing the DC-SCM within the Signal Expansion Module reduces the number of internal wiring and lowers system costs.
[0059] See also Figure 7 In one embodiment of the present application, the data center security control module 15 is a square chip. The first side 151 of the square chip is located on the front side of the chassis 11. The second side 152, third side 153, and fourth side 154 of the square chip have multiple grooves for insertion into the signal expansion module 14. The third side 153 of the square chip has more slots than the second side 152 and fourth side 154. The square chip is inserted into the interior of the signal expansion center 14 with the third side 153 as the inner side.
[0060] The data center security control module is secured to the signal expansion module via slots. By positioning the third side of the square chip, which has multiple slots, as the inner side, it can bear the primary weight and pressure of the data center security control module. The slots on the third side enhance the stability of the connection between the data center security control module and the signal expansion module, preventing them from falling or shifting. Furthermore, since the third side of the data center security control module is closer to the interior of the chassis and more prone to heat accumulation, designing more slots on the third side increases the contact area between the data center security control module and the signal expansion module, facilitating heat dissipation and improving the chassis's heat dissipation performance.
[0061] In one embodiment of the present application, the signal expansion module 14 is connected to the multiple hard disks 13 to expand the input signal to the multiple hard disks; the data center security control module is used to store system information for management.
[0062] For example, the signal expansion module 14 has snaps on its two rear sides, which can be plugged into the hard disk tray 12. The hard disk tray 12 has multiple hard disks 13 installed on it. The signal expansion module 14 can expand the received input signal to the hard disks 13 on the hard disk tray 12. The SAS signal expansion module can expand the input X16 SAS signal to the SAS signal of 112 hard disks.
[0063] Compared to the traditional method of embedding the signal expansion module in the middle of the hard drive array, this signal expansion module and the hard drive tray are arranged one above the other, allowing each row of hard drives to add space for an additional hard drive, increasing the scalability of the storage system. Furthermore, the added space can be distributed between each hard drive, increasing the heat dissipation path between the hard drives, helping to optimize air flow within the chassis, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency and extending the life of the hard drives and other components.
[0064] See also Figure 8 In one embodiment of the present application, the hard disk storage expansion system further includes a handle 16 disposed on the front side of the chassis 11 for pulling the hard disk tray 12 and the signal expansion module 14 out of the chassis 11. The handle 16, combined with the hard disk tray 12, enhances the overall strength and structural stability of the tray, ensuring durability even under frequent operation.
[0065] In one embodiment of the present application, the hard disk is inserted into the hard disk tray from the upper side of the chassis. The chassis 11 includes 7 rows of hard disk groups, each row of hard disk groups includes 16 hard disks, and can accommodate a total of 112 hard disks.
[0066] Please continue reading Figure 8 In one embodiment of the present application, the hard disk storage expansion system further includes a plurality of fan modules 17, the fan modules 17 are located behind the hard disk tray 12, and the fan modules 17 are arranged on the rear side of the chassis 11 for dissipating heat from the chassis.
[0067] Depend on Figure 2-4It can be seen that the chassis of the traditional storage system 2 is provided with 7 rows of hard disks 23, with 15 hard disks in each row, for a total of 105 HDD hard disks 23. The HDD hard disks 23 and the ESM module 24 are both installed and maintained on the chassis 21, and when maintaining the hard disks and ESM modules, the entire tray needs to be pulled out for maintenance. Compared with the method of arranging the ESM module in the middle of the hard disk group in the traditional storage system 2, the ESM module 14 and the hard disk tray 12 are structured up and down in this application, and the ESM module 14 is arranged below the hard disk tray 12, freeing up a certain amount of space in the 7 rows of hard disks 13 inside the chassis 11, so that each row of chassis can accommodate one more hard disk, that is, each row has 16 hard disks, for a total of 112 HDD hard disks. The HDD hard disks 13 are installed and maintained from above the chassis 11. The ESM module 14 is connected to the hard disk tray 12, and the data center security control module 15 is set inside the ESM module 14. The data center security control module 15 and the ESM module 14 can be walked in front of the chassis 11 for hot-swappable maintenance. Since the width of the chassis currently on the market is 536mm, the width of the ESM is 46mm, and the width of a hard disk is 26.11mm. Compared with traditional storage solutions, the hard disk storage system 1 of the present application adds one hard disk while removing the ESM module in each row, that is, 46-26.11=19.89mm, which will have an extra 19.89mm of space, which can be distributed to the distance between each hard disk. The extra distance can increase the heat dissipation channel between the hard disks, thereby accelerating the heat dissipation efficiency.
[0068] In summary, the hard disk storage system in this application supports 112 hard disks by optimizing the upper and lower spaces of the signal expansion module and the hard disk tray, and inserting the data center security control module into the interior of the signal expansion module, thereby achieving high-density storage in the current 4OU storage device. Placing the signal expansion module under the hard disk tray increases the distance between the upper hard disks, which helps to dissipate heat in the storage system. At the same time, the signal expansion module can be maintained in front of the chassis, and there is no need to open the chassis for maintenance, which improves maintenance efficiency.
[0069] The descriptions of the processes or structures corresponding to the above figures have different emphases. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain process or structure, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other processes or structures.
[0070] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Anyone skilled in the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concepts disclosed in this application shall be covered by the claims of this application.
Claims
1. A hard disk storage expansion system, characterized in that: The hard disk storage expansion system includes: a chassis, a hard disk tray, a hard disk, a signal expansion module, and a data center security control module; The hard disk tray is arranged inside the chassis and is used to manage multiple hard disk groups; The signal expansion module is connected to the hard disk tray, and the signal expansion module is arranged below the hard disk tray. The hard disk is hot-swappable and maintained through the upper side of the chassis; The data center security control module is connected to the signal extension module, and the signal extension module is hot-swappable and maintained through the front side of the chassis.
2. The hard disk storage expansion system according to claim 1, wherein: The data center security control module is plugged into the interior of the signal expansion module, and the data center security control module is hot-swapped and maintained through the front side of the chassis.
3. The hard disk storage expansion system according to claim 1, wherein: The data center security control module is arranged on the left side of the front of the chassis, and the signal expansion module is arranged on the right side of the front of the chassis.
4. The hard disk storage expansion system according to claim 1, wherein: The signal extension module is connected to the multiple hard disks and is used to extend the input signal to the multiple hard disks; the data center security control module is used to store system information for management.
5. The hard disk storage expansion system according to claim 1, wherein: The data center security control module is a square chip, one side of the square chip is located on the front side of the chassis, and the remaining side of the square chip has multiple grooves for being inserted into the signal expansion module.
6. The hard disk storage expansion system according to claim 1, wherein: The hard disk storage expansion system further includes a handle, which is disposed on the front side of the chassis and is used to pull the hard disk tray and the signal expansion module out of the chassis.
7. The hard disk storage expansion system according to claim 1, wherein: The hard disk is inserted into the hard disk tray from the upper side of the chassis.
8. The hard disk storage expansion system according to claim 1, wherein: The chassis includes 7 rows of hard disk groups, and each row of hard disk groups includes 16 hard disks.
9. The hard disk storage expansion system according to claim 1, wherein: There is a distance between the hard disks, and there are multiple heat dissipation ducts between the hard disks.
10. The hard disk storage expansion system according to claim 1, wherein: The hard disk storage expansion system further includes a plurality of fan modules. The fan modules are located behind the hard disk trays and are arranged on the rear side of the chassis for dissipating heat from the chassis.